Yieldable body jousting bags

ABSTRACT

An amusement device involving physical activity and competitive play is described. It comprises an elongate yieldable body having a blunt, impact receiving, vertical frontal face and a rearward portion shaped and sized to fit against the chest of the user. Support members extending upwardly and rearwardly from the body fit over the shoulders of the user and preferably serve as protective shields. Bracing members passing rearwardly under the armpits of the user or handle members on the body of the device (and preferably both) are also provided.

United States Patent 1 1 Crooks 1 Sept. 18, 1973 54 YIELDABLE BODY'J'OU'STTNC BAGS [76] Inventor: ThomasE. Crooks, 5464 Juarez SL,

Baton Rouge, La. 70811 [22] Filed: Feb. 4, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 112,700

[52] US. Cl. 273/1 R, 272/76, 273/55 R [51] Int. Cl A63b 71/08 [58] 1 Field of Search 273/1 R, 55 R, 55 A;

272/76, 77; 297/DIG. l, 3, 4; 2/2

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 11/1903 Gamble 2/2 11/1951 Logan 2/2 X 12/1970 Alarco 2/2 8/1961 Davis et al. 273/55 R OTHER PUBLICATIONS Gilman Gear Catalog, Marty Gilman Inc.,'Gilman,

Conn.,1958,R1 page 12, R2 page 19.

Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham I Assistant Examiner -PaulE. Shapiro Attorney-John F. Sie'be'rth 57 ABSTRACT An amusement device involving physical activity and competitive play is described. comprises an elongate yieldable body having a blunt, impact receiving, vertical frontal face and a rearward portion shaped and sized to fit against the chest of the user. Support members extending upwardly and rearwardly from the body fit over the shoulders of the user and preferably serve as protective shields. Bracing members passing rearwardly under the armpits of the user or handle memhers on the body of the device (and preferably both) are also provided. 4

7 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures YPATENTEDSEPIWH 3.159.515

. INVENTOR. THO s E. CROOKS ATTORNEY 1 YIELDABLE BODY JOUSTING BAGS FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an amusement device involving physical activity. More particularly, this invention pertains to devices which enable the users to engage in contact-type physical activity without appreciable risk of bodily injury.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention there is provided an amusement device which comprises a yieldable body--preferably an inflatable body-having a frontal face, a rearward portion and a continuous elongate intermediate portion disposed between and engaging the frontal face and the rearward portion, said body being characterized in that the rearward portion is shaped to accommodate the upper frontal portion of the torso of the user and thereby dispose said face in a generally vertical plane out in front of the user.

In use, the device is held in position against the chest and shoulders and thereby provides the user with a blunt forwardly-projecting extension which serves the dual functions of battering ram and shield. Since the body of the device is yieldable and since the rearward portion of the deviceengages or conforms to the chest and especially the shoulder region of the user, the force of an impact upon the frontal face is partially dissipated by the device itself and the remainder is harmlessly distributed over a relatively large surface area of the torso. Thus a pair of the devices enables the participants to safely engage in butting, bumping or ramming games somewhat akin to jousting on foot.

It will be seen therefore that users of the devices may engage in desirable physical activity while enjoying the thrill and challenge of competitive play. At the same time the benefits may be realized at relatively low cost without appreciable risk of bodily injury by use of relatively simple, durable equipment which may be used indoors or outdoors.

These as well as other features, aspects, embodiments, objects, advantages and chacteristics of this invention will be further apparent from the ensuing description, appended claims and figures of the Drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing preferred devices of this invention being held in'position by a pair of players and illustrating how the jousting or ramming play activities may be performed.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation, partly cut away, of a preferred inflatable amusement device of this invention. FIG. 3 is a top view of the device shown in FIG; 2. FIG. 4 is a frontal view of the device shown in FIG.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As can readily be seen from the Figures the preferred devices of this invention are composed of a frontal face 50 which serves as a blunt impact-transferring surface, an elongate intermediate portion 40 which serves to project and maintain face 50 outwardly in front of the user, and a rearward portion adapted to conform to or fit across the upper portion of the torso of the user. The rearward portion of the device as depicted includes a pair of laterally positioned upwardly and rearwardly extending portions or members 10 which are adpated to press against and fit over the shoulders of the user-- note FIG. I. In addition, the rearward portion of the preferred embodiments includes a pair of laterally positioned rearwardly extending portions or flaps 20 which are adapted to pass under the armpits of the user. Thus in the preferred devices the lateral distance or spacing between flaps 20 will exceed the lateral distance or spacing between members 10-note FIG. 4. To facilitate the users holding the device in position against the upper frontal portion of the torso, handle members 30 are positioned on the device at a selected point of balance.

It will be readily apparent that the configuration and positioning of the upwardly and rearwardly extending portions 10 enables them to serve a multiplicity of functions. In the first place, by accommodating the shoulders of the user they serve as prime loci for the transfer of force or impact and thereby prevent excessive pressure or impact upon the chest. Secondly, portions 10 shield the sides of the face, neck and head against impact during use. Furthermore, because the lateral distance between the pair of members 10 is less than the cross-sectional area of the frontal face 50 of the opponents device (note FIG. 4), the players are protected against direct head-on blows to their faces and heads. And finally, members 10 rest upon the tops of the shoulder and thereby make it a simple matter to hold the device in position during use.

The rearwardly extending flaps 20 contribute to the stability and ease of supporting the device during use.

From FIG. 1 it will also be evident that during play, whether in the act of attacking the opponent or defending against this attack, or both, it is natural to assume a forwardly-inclined posture. Accordingly, I prefer to shape the rearward portion of the device so that when it is held against the upper frontal portion of a forwardly-inclined torso the main body of the device projects forwardly from the user in a generally horizontal manner as depicted in FIG. I. This can readily be accomplished by biasing or inclining the intermediate surface 60 of the rearward portion of the device so that the plane thereof leans toward the plane of frontal face 50note FIGS. 2 and 3.

Still another preferred aspect of the device as depicted in the Figures is the outward flaring of the body in the vicinity of frontal face 50. In this way the surface area of the face is enlarged or increased relative to the cross-section area of the non-flared segment of intermediate portion 40. In other words, this flaring provides an even larger impact or target area and protects against glancing blows reaching or falling upon either player. In this connection, the texture of frontal face 50 may be roughened, eLg., by embossing or corrugations or the like, so as to reduce the likelihood of slippage be tween the respective faces on impact. In this way the frequency of glancing blows may be diminished even further.

I It will of course be evident that the devices may be made in differing sizes, shapes and configurations in order to accommodate users of different age groups and physical statutes. For example, the cross'sectional area of frontal face 50 and of the elongate intermediate portion 40 or either of them may be circular, rectangular, polygonal, square, or oval in configuration. In addition, members 10 or flaps 20, or both may be separate units which are suitable fastened to the body by means of stitching, lacing, adhesives, or the like. However, generally speaking it is preferred that these members or flaps be integrally formed with the body itself. Moreover, variations in the positioning and character of the handle means are entirely permissible.

The dimensions of the particular devices of this invention will thus be dependent to a large extent upon the age group of the users for which they are designed. One conveniently sized device has a length of about 20 inches from the base of surface 60 to frontal face 50, a frontal face of about inches in height and in width, and a cross-sectional area of the intermediate portion 40 of approximately I 1 inches in height and width. Devices having dimensions of this magnitude render it virtually impossible for the users to bump heads or otherwise stibject themselves to danger of significant injury.

The casing of the devices may be made from any suitable material or fabric such as canvas or other cloth, plastics, natural or synthetic rubber or other elastomers or elastoplastics, natural or synthetic leather, or the like. Although any suitable lightweight resilient material such as cotton, excelsior or foamed rubber may be positioned within the casing as a total or partial filler, it is preferred to provide a device which may be inflated with air or any other suitable gas. This may be accomplished by utilizing any suitably strong, flexible and airimpervious substance as the casing or as the liner for the casing and fitting the same with a-valve 70. An advantage of the inflatable devices is that they occupy less space when not inflated and thus may be readily stored, displayed and shipped in relatively small packages.

To increase the durability and useful life of the devices of this invention it is possible to reinforce or suitably back frontal face 50 with a tough resilient material such as padding, rubber sheeting or the like.

inasmuch as the construction, principles, features, advantages, modes of use and characteristics of this invention are susceptible to considerable variation without departing from the true spirit and scope of this invention the foregoing exemplification of preferred embodiments of this invention is not intended and should not be construed as limitative. Rather, this invention is to be construed in the light of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An amusement device comprising (a) an elongate yieldable body having (I) a frontal face adapted to be disposed in a generally vertical plane out in front of the user, (2) a rearward portion to accommodate the upper frontal portion of the torso of the user, and (3) a continuous elongate intermediate portion disposed between and engaging the frontal face and therearward portion, the intermediate portion of said body being long enough to dispose said face far enough out in front of the user so that when said rearward portion is held in position against the upper frontal portion of the torso no portion of the head of the user can be extended to reach said vertical plane; (b) a pair of laterally disposed support members extending upwardly and rearwardly from said body adapted to fit over and to rest on and be pressed against the shoulders of the user, the lateral distance between said support members being less than the cross sectional area of said frontal face, said support members being high enough in cross section and positioned to shield the sides of the neck and the front and sides of the face of the user; (c) a pair of laterally disposed bracing members projecting rearwardly from said body adapted to pass under the armpits of the user, the lateral spacing between said bracing members exceeding the lateral spacing between said support members; and (d) handle means attached to said body on the intermediate portion thereof at a selected point of balance to facilitate the user holding the device in position against the upper frontal portion of the torso.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein said body is an inflatable body.

3. A device according to claim I further characterized in that the central surface area of said rearward portion is forwardly inclined to simulate the forward incline of the upper chest of a forwardly leaning human torso.

4. A device according to claim 1 wherein the elongate intermediate portion is flared outwardly in the vicinity of the frontal face to enlarge the surface area of 7 said face.

5. A device according to claim 1 wherein the length of said body from said frontal face to said rearward portion is about 20 inches.

6. A device according to claim 5 wherein said body is an inflatable body, wherein the central surface area of said rearward portion is forwardly inclined to simulate the forward incline of the upper chest of a forwardly leaning human torso and wherein the elongate intermediate portion of the inflated body is flared outwardly in the vicinity of the frontal face to enlarge the surface area of said face.

7. A device according to claim 1 wherein the length of said body from said frontal face to said rearward portion is about 20 inches and said frontal face is about l5 inches in height and width.

* I I! I 

1. An amusement device comprising (a) an elongate yieldable body having (1) a frontal face adapted to be disposed in a generally vertical plane out in front of the user, (2) a rearward portion to accommodate the upper frontal portion of the torso of the user, and (3) a continuous elongate intermediate portion disposed between and engaging the frontal face and the rearward portion, the intermediate portion of said body being long enough to dispose said face far enough out in front of the user so that when said rearward portion is held in position against the upper frontal portion of the torso no portion of the head of the user can be extended to reach said vertical plane; (b) a pair of laterally disposed support members extending upwardly and rearwardly from said body adapted to fit over and to rest on and be pressed against the shoulders of the user, the lateral distance between said support members being less than the cross sectional area of said frontal face, said support members being high enough in cross section and positioned to shield the sides of the neck and the front and sides of the face of the user; (c) a pair of laterally disposed bracing members projecting rearwardly from said body adapted to pass under the armpits of the user, the lateral spacing between saId bracing members exceeding the lateral spacing between said support members; and (d) handle means attached to said body on the intermediate portion thereof at a selected point of balance to facilitate the user holding the device in position against the upper frontal portion of the torso.
 2. A device according to claim 1 wherein said body is an inflatable body.
 3. A device according to claim 1 further characterized in that the central surface area of said rearward Portion is forwardly inclined to simulate the forward incline of the upper chest of a forwardly leaning human torso.
 4. A device according to claim 1 wherein the elongate intermediate portion is flared outwardly in the vicinity of the frontal face to enlarge the surface area of said face.
 5. A device according to claim 1 wherein the length of said body from said frontal face to said rearward portion is about 20 inches.
 6. A device according to claim 5 wherein said body is an inflatable body, wherein the central surface area of said rearward portion is forwardly inclined to simulate the forward incline of the upper chest of a forwardly leaning human torso and wherein the elongate intermediate portion of the inflated body is flared outwardly in the vicinity of the frontal face to enlarge the surface area of said face.
 7. A device according to claim 1 wherein the length of said body from said frontal face to said rearward portion is about 20 inches and said frontal face is about 15 inches in height and width. 